You cannot change Siri's name itself, but you can change what Siri calls you

Apple's voice assistant is always called Siri — that name is built into the system and cannot be changed. What you can do instead is tell Siri what name or nickname to use when addressing you. When you set this up, Siri will use your chosen name in responses and when reading information aloud.

The process differs slightly between iPhones, iPads, and Macs, but the core idea is the same: you edit your contact card in the system and Siri reads from it. This is a one-time setup that takes about two minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Siri's name cannot be changed, but you can set what name Siri uses when speaking to you.
  • On iPhone and iPad, you edit your own contact card in the Contacts app and add a phonetic name field.
  • On Mac, you use the Siri settings panel to tell Siri what to call you.
  • Once set, Siri will use your chosen name in voice responses and when reading information aloud.

How to change what Siri calls you on iPhone or iPad

Open the Contacts app and find your own contact card — it is usually marked "Me" at the top of your contacts list. If you do not have a card for yourself, create one by tapping the plus icon and entering your information.

Tap "Edit" in the top right corner. Scroll down until you see a field labeled "Phonetic First Name" or "Phonetic Last Name" (or both). Type the name or nickname you want Siri to use. You can enter just a first name, a full name, or any variation you prefer. Tap "Done" to save.

The next time you interact with Siri, it will use the phonetic name you entered. Test it by saying "Hey Siri, what's my name?" and Siri should respond with your chosen name.

How to change what Siri calls you on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older macOS versions). Search for "Siri" in the settings search box and click the Siri result.

Look for an option that says "Siri's Response" or "My Information" and click it. You should see a field where you can enter the name you want Siri to use. Type your chosen name and confirm the change. Close the settings window.

If you do not see this option, try editing your own contact card instead: open Contacts, find your card, and add a phonetic name the same way you would on iPhone.

Why Siri uses a phonetic name field

The phonetic name field exists because Siri needs to know how to pronounce your name correctly. If your name is spelled in a way that does not match standard English pronunciation — for example, if it is from another language or is a unique spelling — the phonetic field lets you write out how it should sound.

You can also use this field creatively: you could enter "Your Majesty" or "Boss" or any other title you want Siri to use. Siri will read whatever you type in the phonetic field, so the system does not judge whether it is a traditional name.

What happens if you do not set a phonetic name

If you do not set a phonetic name, Siri will try to pronounce your name based on how it is spelled in your contact card. This usually works fine for common names, but can sound awkward or incorrect for names with unusual spellings or pronunciations.

You can add or change the phonetic name at any time — there is no deadline or limit to how many times you edit it. If you change your mind, you can delete the phonetic name field and Siri will go back to using your regular name spelling.

Troubleshooting: Siri is not using the name you set

If you set a phonetic name but Siri is still not using it, first check that you saved your changes — tap "Done" on iPhone or click "Save" on Mac after editing. Then restart Siri by saying "Hey Siri" again or tapping the Siri button.

If Siri still does not recognize the change, restart your device entirely. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Shut Down, wait a few seconds, then power it back on. On Mac, click the Apple menu and select "Restart". After the restart, test Siri again.

Make sure you are editing your own contact card, not someone else's. On iPhone, open Contacts and look for the card marked "Me" — if you do not see one, you may need to create it first by tapping the plus icon and marking it as yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change Siri's voice or accent instead of the name?

Yes. On iPhone, go to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice and choose from the available options. On Mac, go to System Settings > Siri and look for voice options. You can change the gender, accent, and language Siri uses, but the name "Siri" itself cannot be changed.

Will changing what Siri calls me affect other people using my device?

If other people use your device with their own Apple ID, they can set their own phonetic names in their contact cards. Siri will use the name from whichever contact card matches the currently signed-in user. If someone uses your device without signing in, Siri will use the name from your contact card.

Can I make Siri call me by a completely different name than my real name?

Yes. The phonetic name field accepts any text you enter, so you can type "Captain" or "Doc" or any other name you want. Siri will read exactly what you type, so you have complete control over what name it uses when speaking to you.

What if I share an Apple ID with someone else?

If you share an Apple ID, you share the same contact card and phonetic name. To have Siri use different names for different people, each person needs their own Apple ID on the device. You can set up multiple users on one iPhone or iPad, and each can have their own Siri name.